
‘Red-Handed’: 23 Former U.S. Senators and Congressmen Who Lobby for Chinese Military or Chinese Intelligence-Linked Companies
Sean Moran
Boehner’s advocacy for China began right as he became Speaker of the House and Republicans gained a historic majority.
In 2011, Congress was in the midst of passing a currency manipulation bill, the Currency Exchange Oversight Reform Act, to hold China accountable for keeping its currency artificially low, thus making it easier to boost its exports.
China subsequently hired Squire Patton Boggs (SPB), one of D.C.’s most influential law firms, for $35,000 per month to block the bill.
SPB registered as a foreign agent of the Chinese embassy in Washington, DC, after decades of close ties to the Chinese government.
The Chinese currency manipulation bill sailed through the Senate with a 63-35 vote, featuring strong bipartisan support.
However, Boehner would not allow the bill to come to the House floor for a vote even though half of the House Republican Conference and an “overwhelming” number of Democrats supported the bill.